Being Up Front

 Words Up Front

In my opinion, keep your damn opinions to yourself. I could say more, but I have resolved to stop over-sharing. You’re welcome. (Bob and Gene's to the right. Calendar below.)

McMusical Calendar

Saturday, May 21
The Timber Lake Playhouse kicks off its 2022 concert series, and the Birddog Blues Band takes the stage at 5 pm. This “concert version” of the band led by singer and mouth-harpist Ken ‘Birddog’ Olufs features guitar stalwart Mel Ford, bassist Tom McCarty, drummer Derek Hendrickson, and singer and keyboard man Warren Beck. Arrive by 3 pm to hear Kevin Burt, 2019 Blues Music Award nominee and triple International Blues Challenge winner. Stick around for the Chicago native and protege of the great Sugar Blue, Russ Green and his Band at 7 pm. Should hunger or thirst gnaw during this event, fear not; food and drink available on site.

Friday, May 27
BIG WES Turner’s Trio rides again, thanks to Grammy-winning guitarist and Chicago Blues Hall-of-Famer Billy Flynn, who literally dragged drummer Rick Becker and bassist Tom McCarty out of their respective caves. Hear them hop between hip musical genres (Blues, Country, R&B, Rock, Surf!) at Tyranena Brewing, 1025 Owen St. in Lake Mills, WI. Enjoy the spacious, welcoming patio and backyard, not to mention the best and boldest Wisconsin brews. (A light drizzle won’t stop this semi-protected outdoor show, but weather most foul will, so keep an eye on the sky.) 6 to 9 pm

Saturday, June 4
Birddog Blues Band at Full Mile Beer Co. & Kitchen at 132 Market St. in Sun Prairie, WI. Beer? Check. Food? Check. Blues? Double-check. What more could you want? 7 to 10 pm

Sunday, June 5
Mel Ford & the Fairlane* at Tofflers Pub & Grill, 200 5^th Ave. in New Glarus, WI. Afternoon on the deck. 2:30 to 5 pm.
*(Mel Ford & the Who? Suffice it say that back in the day, ‘round about Y2K, guitar wiz Mel Ford carried around a quartet of sidemen cleverly monikered “The Fairlanes,” bringing Bluesmuzik to the bars, bistros and beer tents of the Midwest. That was then. These days the estimable Mr. Ford pops up on occasion with the last 25 percent of the Fairlanes, bassist Tom McCarty. Hey. They sing. They play. They’re good enough and, gosh-darn-it!, people like ‘em.)

Friday, June 24
Birddog Blues Band at Tofflers Pub & Grill New Glarus, WI. Evening in the backyard (weather permitting). Ken ‘Birddog’ Olufs, Mel Ford, Derek Hendrickson, and Tom McCarty. 7 to 10

Saturday, June 25
The Sparks Band opens up for WAMI winners Bella Cain at Celebrate Waupun at Tanner Park in Waupun (WI). 4:45 to 6:45 (or so)

Friday, July 1
Birddog Blues Band at WisconsinBrewing, 1079 American Parkway, Verona WI. Spacious indoor and outdoor spaces for roaming around or imbibing brews. 6 to 9 pm

Saturday, July 2
Birddog Blues Band at Club LaMark, Madison, WI.

Thursday, July 7
Birddog Blues Band at Lone Girl Brewery, Waunakee, WI. 7 to 9

Friday, July 29
Birddog Blues Band at Tyranena Brewing, Lake Mills, WI. 6 to 9 pm

Saturday, August 6
Birddog Blues Band at Tofflers 8 to 11 pm

Saturday, August 16
Birddog Blues Band at Hartland Blues Fest

Friday, August 19
Birddog Blues Band warms up the stage for some band called The Jimmys at MineralPoint Blues and Roots Fest. Enjoy the surroundings at “Orchard Lawn” and the grounds of The Gundry House at Church and Pine in historic, picturesque Mineral Point.

Thursday, August 25
Birddog Blues Band at Lone Girl Brewery, Waunakee, WI. 6 to 9 pm

Friday, September 2
Birddog Blues Band at Wisconsin Brewing, 1079 American Parkway, Verona WI. Spacious indoor and outdoor spaces for roaming around or imbibing brews. 6 to 9 pm